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Michael

Play trailer Poster for Michael PG 1996 1h 45m Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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38% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
When jaded journalists Frank (William Hurt) and Huey (Robert Pastorelli), along with angel expert Dorothy (Andie MacDowell), travel to a small town in Iowa to investigate a story, they find Michael (John Travolta), a disheveled man claiming to be an angel. But Michael is less than angelic: he drinks, smokes and basks in the attention of women. As the group travels to Chicago, Michael teaches them about relationships, faith and miracles, suggesting that he may be exactly whom he says he is.
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Michael

Michael

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Critics Consensus

John Travolta plays an angel in Nora Ephron's maudlin Michael, a grating comedy that doesn't tap into the heavenly charms of her best work.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 12/07/2018
I feared that Nora Ephron's angel movie, Michael, would offer another heap of predigested uplift but was pleasantly surprised to find something quirkier and more off-center. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy Variety 12/27/2006
C-
Travolta's charismatic presence is the only positive element in Nora Ephron's flawed romantic fable marred by rough narrative spots and scattered direction, again showing that Ephron lacks the most basic technical skills. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom 08/20/2003
3/5
Some moments as lovely as the smell of cookies, especially the dance number. Go to Full Review Tom Cassidy Common Sense Media 07/28/2022
4/5
Director Nora Ephron knows her way around feel-good. Go to Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 09/23/2020
2/4
An unfocused mess that, despite a few highlights, is one of Ephron's weakest films. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 08/16/2020
2/4
Cinema as artificial sweetener. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Shilo Y @Shilo 01/09/2025 John Travolta (Michael) did a great job making me laugh on that car trip🤣… But that all changed when the dog gotten run over by a truck and Michael was able to Bring it back to life❤️‍🩹. At the end everyone found peace.🥹 See more Kim P 01/01/2025 Wow! I really don't understand all the hate for this little "feel good movie". It's lightweight, enjoyable fare with (at the very least) some memorable dancing to classic songs. Like a cinematic version of a funnel cake or caramel apple or corn dog. Not EVERY movie is supposed to "nourish" you...some are just meant to be fun. One of my favorite guilty pleasures. See more John D 12/28/2024 I watched this movie just after it first came out, then again ten years later, and then again. The fallen angel, Michael, is still charming and more memorable with the passage of time. My wife and i find ourselves remembering and joking about the bar room scenes and Michael's irresistible smell" years later. Still a great way to pass the time and feel good for having done so, even at the age of 75. See more CM C 06/15/2024 This movie may not be intellectually stimulating, but it is certainly feel-good. And, there are gentle wee lessons taught along the way. Good cast, and good music included. Definitely a good choice for a rainy Saturday afternoon.... See more BradLee B 09/16/2023 This movie was so beautiful!! A creative and inspiring masterpiece that I think would be great for family movie night!! Seriously AMAZING!!🤩 See more Cameron L @1Kokoroisenough 06/26/2023 Angelic with an angel with an mildly profane mouth and I'll be dancing to the musical moments in them See more Read all reviews
Michael

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Cast & Crew

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Nora Ephron

Director

John Travolta

Michael

Andie MacDowell

Dorothy Winters

William Hurt

Frank Quinlan

Bob Hoskins

Vartan Malt

Robert Pastorelli

Huey Driscoll

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Michael

Michael (1996) Michael (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When jaded journalists Frank (William Hurt) and Huey (Robert Pastorelli), along with angel expert Dorothy (Andie MacDowell), travel to a small town in Iowa to investigate a story, they find Michael (John Travolta), a disheveled man claiming to be an angel. But Michael is less than angelic: he drinks, smokes and basks in the attention of women. As the group travels to Chicago, Michael teaches them about relationships, faith and miracles, suggesting that he may be exactly whom he says he is.
Director
Nora Ephron
Producer
James Jacks, Nora Ephron, Sean Daniel
Screenwriter
Peter Dexter, Nora Ephron, Delia Ephron, Jim Quinlan
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, New Line Cinema
Production Co
New Line Cinema, Alphaville Films, Turner Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$95.3M
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Surround
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